COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTIONGive the gift of beer! More specifically, Brrr! The Widmer Brothers have handcrafted a special ale for the holiday season: a generous red ale. Not quite excessively hopped, with candy sweetness and a velvety finish. Perfect for celebrations. Prost!

This starts with a caramel and toasted aroma, it pours a clear reddish-amber with just a thin white head. There’s a lot more hop presence in the beer then the aroma would have indicated. The finish is a touch of caramel and bitter hops. This is a nice addition to the winter beers that are available.

On tap in my home bar - poured into a New Belgium "Belgium style" glass. CO2 at 12psi - so plenty of frothy, off-white head and a nice lively carbonation that is probably a bit overstated for the style, but much to my liking. Had very high hopes with this American strong ale - expecting something similar to North Coast’s Brother Thelonious when I bought the keg. It turned out to be very different, though still good in it’s own right.
What caught my attention immediately was the hop presence - I had heard that it had more than would normally be expected for the style, but though that with the extra age the hops might have died down more than they have. Still though, a robust brew with plenty of malt - a bready, toasted character with caramel and some dark fruits. But those herbal hop aromas follow into the taste with some pine and bitterness (although not overly so.) Nice dry finish that really helps to keep this offering in check. Not what I had expected, but glad to have it on tap.
(After rating - I threw in some fresh raspberries we had sitting in the fridge and topped off the glass. Very pleasant addition that played well with the hop bitterness and dry finish. I strongly recommend trying.)

Drank from a 12 oz bottle. Aroma is your standard beer aroma. Flavor is slightly bitter at first and then yields to a slight sweet and crisp beer. Does have any strong seasonal spices to it, which I like! Nice, easy drinking seasonal!

I really liked this Ale. I've not been a Widmer fan until this week be. Hops are noticeable but not overpowering and the flavor hits on the back side of the tongue. Nice color and medium head. Very good seasonal beer.
---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

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